Domaine Besson, Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons, Burgundy, France, 2022

Producer Profile

Situated in the heart of Chablis, Domaine Besson is the proud possessor of an exceptional wine-producing heritage, seeking to express and transmit through its wines the purity and sensitivity of this unique terroir.

The estate is an independent, family-owned and run domaine spanning four generations. Today, their 21ha comprises holdings in Petit Chablis, Chablis and selected Premiers/Grands Crus. Owner Alain Besson has recently handed more control to his daughter Camille, who looks after the winemaking and marketing, and son Adrien, who is responsible for the vineyard work. Practising lutte raisonnée in the vineyards and manual harvesting for the Grands Crus, the family’s thoughtful, sensitive winemaking gives rise to a range of wines that offer a pure expression of fruit combined with fine and elegant styling.

Viticulture

The Vaillons vineyard, covering roughly 2.46 ha, is planted on classic Kimmeridgian limestone-clay soils in Chablis. Domaine Besson manages these vines sustainably, practicing Guyot pruning and mechanical ploughing and working lutte raisonnée to promote healthy soils while minimising chemical use. Harvest is done by hand to ensure optimal ripeness and preserve aromatic purity.

Winemaking

Grapes are gently pressed slowly at low pressure before fermentation in stainless steel tanks (thermostatically controlled at 19–21 °C), with about 8 % fermented in oak barrels. The wine is aged on its fine lees for 12 to 18 months, combining the freshness of stainless steel with the complexity and texture from oak. This balanced approach preserves the purity of fruit and minerality while adding mouthfeel and subtle layers.

Tasting Note

fresh aromas of pear, apricot, melon, and white blossoms like cherry and almond, layered over a core of flinty, oyster-shell minerality and delicate spice. The palate is round and juicy yet taut, carrying yellow fruit flavors—peach, apricot, melon—balanced by vibrant acidity and a pronounced mineral, steely backbone. Toasted brioche and smoked-hazelnut undertones from oak aging add texture and depth, finishing long, saline, and crisp.

Food Matching

Rich fish like salmon or tuna,quiche, ravioli, seafood risotto.